Why do so Many People Carry out Paternity tests?

21 Jan 2015

A paternity test refers to the advanced bio-molecular technology that can define and establish a relationship between a child and the biological father. The procedure involves isolation of the DNA profile of an individual and a child for matching and analysis.

In 1970, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology was discovered and thanks to that DNA profiling and attained more than 99% accuracy. Since then, the PCR has been the DNA testing method used legally as a means for establishing paternity around the world. Throughout this article we will explore the most important benefits and advantages of paternity testing.

Why paternity testing?

• Better accuracy level: DNA profiling is considered as one of the most accurate technologies available to determine whether an alleged dad is the biological dad. The technology allows karyotyping and the detailed genetic indexing of an individual. An expert extracts somatic cells and utilizes special enzymes to read the genetic code. The technique ensures 99.9% accuracy with paternity testing.
• Establishment of legal parenthood. If a father is unsure as to whether he is the father, or if there is reason to contest paternity, the establishment of legal parenthood and undertaking of financial responsibilities are extremely important. This will help allocate child support by the judge and decide on issues such as visitation. Things will change if the alleged father is an inmate. In this case, the first step is contacting the prison facility. The judge will also need to assess whether the father has any tangible assets and consider the fact that he is unable to work due to being in prison. The paternity test becomes somewhat more complex in such cases.
• Some paternity tests are done for resolving financial cases associated with inheritance. This may happen when the father dies and someone unknown to be related to the father appears on the scene claiming to be a child of the deceased and requesting a share of the inheritance.  A legal child avails of all the legal rights to acquire the properties of his biological father unless specified otherwise in a will. Also, financial fraud or paternity fraud cases may be subjected to DNA testing and genetic profiling.
• Convenience: Nowadays DNA testing can be done in convenience of your home. The convenience and comfort has made home DNA testing a common procedure around the world. Your order your DNA test online, you get a home sample collection kit, you collect the DNA samples and return the kit for testing. This is the procedure in brief.  The samples are collected using oral swabs which are provided in your personal home kit. You just have to rub the swabs inside the mouth so as to collect DNA.

These home DNA tests are by far the most accurate and simple way of determining the paternity of a child. However, despite the fact they are accurate and reliable, they cannot be used in court as the samples provided for analysis have not been collected by a neutral third party witness one would get in a legal DNA test.